EKN Trackside: 2017 SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals – Preview Part 3

Senior titles on the line for first series finale at New Castle

For the first time in Superkarts! USA Pro Tour history, the championship chase will end in August. The eighth running of the SKUSA Pro Tour SummerNationals is set for August 11-13 at the New Castle Motorsports Park. This is the third straight year the 1-mile course outside New Castle, Indiana is playing host to the SummerNationals. And for the first time, the event will mark the end of the six-round SKUSA Pro Tour championship chase with the addition of the WinterNationals. Tensions will be high for the five IAME divisions and four Honda categories competing on the weekend.

The New Castle Motorsport Park opened in 2004 and is a landmark facility for the sport of karting. Owner Mark Dismore, former IndyCar driver and second generation karter, forged the 1-mile circuit with his own vision and creativity to provide the sport with the ultimate playground. Since its opening, New Castle has hosted major events and the 2017 SKUSA SummerNationals will be no different with another record turnout, eclipsing the 250 pre-entry mark.

eKartingNews is bringing all the action live to anyone and everyone with a laptop or mobile device. Bookmark www.ekartingnews.com/live and listen in to the live play-by-play provided by the official voice of SKUSA – EKN’s own Rob Howden. Updates, photos and videos will be available throughout the weekend on the EKN social media outlets – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Superkarts! USA has done it again. For the second time in the three years of the SummerNationals at New Castle, the field has been opened up to more than 44 drivers. In 2015, the first year of the SummerNats in Central Indiana, SKUSA expanded the entry roster to welcome 59 drivers. This year, SKUSA reopened the class after reaching the 44-driver mark with 56 drivers registered prior to at-track entry. This year is different. 2015 was heat races that broke up the field and required them to transfer for the main event based on their heat race results. This weekend, all the drivers will compete in the Prefinal and Final races. It is not common to see a near 60-kart field taking the green flag for a standard race, especially at this level. The track will be busy with action and for those four drivers in the hunt for the title, every corner, every lap, and every position will matter.

The larger than normal field will be an added rival to those trying to be crowned 2017 SKUSA Pro Tour champion. Any type of trouble in qualifying or the Prefinal could mean extra work to try and recover points, needing to pass 10-20 more karts if they were relegated to the back of the field. It is certainly not the optimal stage for a large field, making it feel like the SuperNationals with 50 drivers not worrying about points, but racing for the victory. Not only is the prestige of becoming a champion on the line, but a ticket to the IAME International Final in Le Mans, France is being awarded to the SKUSA Pro Tour champion. The driver who finishes on top of the championship standings will be part of the Team USA contingent to take on the best IAME drivers from around the world at the historic facility this October.

Jake Craig is no stranger to the pressure of a large field attacking him. The 2014 SKUSA Pro Tour champion was the top driver at the SuperNationals that year, starting SuperSunday from the pole position. Wrecked in the second corner, his race was done before it really started. Thankfully, the Californian had locked up the championship by that point in the weekend. This year, nothing is locked in stone. The RPM / Tony Kart driver holds a 16 point lead when factoring in the drop race over defending champion Ryan Norberg (PSL / Karting). Craig is the new #1 in the EKN Driver Rankings entering the weekend at New Castle, coming off two podium finishes at the USPKS event two weeks ago, hoping it will be the start to an improvement from his two previous SKUSA SummerNationals performances as he has struggled at New Castle. Norberg is the defending SummerNationals winner, pulling the double triumph last year. His previous success at New Castle did not translate into a strong performance two weeks ago for the USPKS event, with a fifth place finish as his best result.

New Castle is the home track for Zach Holden, with hundreds of laps conducted over the years from Kid Kart to now in the Senior division. Holden was not in contention in his rookie campaign last year, and now the Indiana native is making his debut with the Energy chassis for the series finale. Holden will need to make up 84 points over the two days on a brand new kart.

Mr. July Brandon Jarsocrak is rolling into the SummerNationals with the momentum. The KartSport North America / Praga driver recorded four straight weekend triumphs during the month of July. Two of them included main event sweeps in the X30 category at New Castle for the WKA and USPKS events. Wins at the Brickyard and Gearup F-Series completed the perfect month for the ‘Shillington Slingshot’. Jarsocrak is the only one of the four championship contenders to not win in 2017 or previous years on the SKUSA Pro Tour. Could this be the weekend for Jarsocrak?

Braden Eves (Zero Error / Kosmic) is the fourth different winner on the season behind the top three in the standings. He and Canadian Cedrik Lupien (RPG / Kosmic) are still mathematically in the championship chase, needing to have a solid New Castle weekend to make up the 170+ points they trail entering the event.

With a field of nearly 60 drivers, there are a number of possible contenders for the victories and the podium positions on the weekend. Alex Bertagnoli had a solid USPKS weekend, placing runner-up to Jarsocrak in both X30 features while winning both KA100 main events. The Senior rookie has shown the speed to fight at the front of the SKUSA Pro Tour grid, having mechanical issues and contact suffer his results the last three rounds. The Franklin Motorsports / Merlin driver is striving to rebound this weekend in New Castle. No stranger to winning both rounds of the SummerNationals is Jesus Rios Jr. The Florida native swept the 2015 event and is back for more with iKart and Comet Racing Engines power.

Another name making a comeback is former SKUSA Pro Tour Junior champion Brandon Lemke. The 2015 title winner has been running a limited karting schedule with AMK / Top Kart, primed for a solid showing in his return to SKUSA competition. The 2016 SummerNationals saw AJ Myers dominate the S1 Pro division. The Florida native is electing to move over to the X30 Senior division this weekend aboard his TB Kart USA entry. Myers has had success in the single-speed division, winning the 2015 USPKS championship. Add in SpringNationals podium finisher Marjin Kremers (PSL / Birel ART) and former SuperNationals winner Andre Nicastro (NF / Kosmic) into the mix, and the battle all weekend long is going to be fierce.

X30 Senior Championship Standings Top-10

Pos.

Total

No.

Driver

Drop

Diff

R1

R2

R3

R4

1

729

60c

Jake Craig

665

0

245

200

64

220

2

819

N1

Ryan Norberg

649

16

170

205

250

194

3

647

222j

Zach Holden

581

84

179

225

177

66

4

745

N2

Brandon Jarsocrak

575

90

180

205

190

170

5

645

020r

Cedrik Lupien

494

171

151

154

180

160

6

588

41j

Braden Eves

492

173

110

147

96

235

7

460

344c

Christian Brooks

460

205

230

230

0

0

8

459

103z

Luke Selliken

436

229

158

23

160

118

9

447

044x

Dante Yu

402

263

45

118

94

190

10

426

416r

Ryan MacDermid

364

301

62

126

102

136

Provisional X30 Senior Entry List

No.

Driver

Team

Chassis

Hometown

303q

Kyle Apuzzo

J3 Competition

CompKart

North Scituate RI

316t

Brenden Baker

CRG Nordam

CRG

Celina TX

91f

Eduardo Barrichello

Ocala Gran Prix

Tony Kart

Ocala FL

24t

John Berry

DAMZ Motorsports

Alpha

Katy TX

1

Alex Bertagnoli

Franklin Motorsports

Merlin

Lakewood IL

111j

Aaron Bromberek

DRT Racing

DR Kart

Lemont IL

274t

Nick Brueckner

Orsolon Racing

Tony Kart

Hockley TX

371z

Mason Buck

BBR Karting

PDB

Newcastle WA

212n

Dario Cangialosi

Mike Doty Racing

Tony Kart

Chester NJ

393t

Andy Cantu

MCP Motorsport

Birel ART

Tomball TX

73y

Sonny Cervelli

Ryan Perry Motorsport

Tony Kart

Benicia CA

36s

Xander Clements

DCT SpeedSport

Tony Kart

Woodstock GA

60c

Jake Craig

Ryan Perry Motorsport

Tony Kart

Mission Viejo CA

231j

Michael Cruz

Cruz Motorsports

Tony Kart

Fishers IN

993r

Logan Cusson

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

Port Hope ON

516q

Emma Delattre

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

Wilton CT

177j

Stephen Dial

Franklin Motorsports

Merlin

Elwood IL

10n

Jacob Donald

KartSport North America

FA Kart

Jeannette PA

698s

Dalton Dow

Birel ART

Charlotte NC

115y

Colby DuBato

PKS Kart Supplies

Tony Kart

Madera CA

310z

Kyle Dupell

BBR Karting

FA Kart

Salem OR

41j

Braden Eves

Motorsports Driver Development

Kosmic

Gahanna OH

315z

Jacob Gulick

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

Vancouver WA

151c

Nicky Hays

Phil Giebler Racing

Ricciardo

Huntington Beach CA

131o

Cooper Heffley

Champion Racing

Intrepid

Mustang OK

3t

Max Hewitt

J3 Competition

CompKart

Houston TX

222j

Zach Holden

Energy Corse North America

Energy

Greenfield IN

32t

David Ilavia

J3 Competition

CompKart

Houston TX

N2

Brandon Jarsocrak

KartSport North America

Praga

Reading PA

125n

Garrett Johnston

Top Kart USA

Top Kart

Chatham NJ

11j

David Kalb Jr.

Comet Kart Sales

Tony Kart

Aurora OH

732j

Ayrton Kazee

Trinity Karting Group

Tony Kart

Cincinnati OH

14y

Worawong Komarakul

Leading Edge Motorsports

Praga

San Francisco CA

098a

Marjin Kremers

PSL Karting

Birel ART

Netherlands

01j

Brandon Lemke

Top Kart USA

Top Kart

Eagle WI

020r

Cedrik Lupien

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

Mascouche QC

94r

Samuel Lupien

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

Mascouche QC

416r

Ryan MacDermid

Ocala Gran Prix

Tony Kart

Brooklin ON

351n

Stephen Mallozzi

PSL Karting

Birel ART

Swedesboro NJ

56j

Abby McLaughlin

Top Kart USA

Top Kart

Mooresville IN

382t

Brett Mitchell

Iron Rock Motorsports

Tony Kart

Spring TX

128f

AJ Myers

TB Kart USA

TB Kart

Palm Harbor FL

28a

Andre Nicastro

NF Piquet Sports

Kosmic

Brazil

N1

Ryan Norberg

PSL Karting

Birel ART

Orlando FL

35e

Grant Palmer

Phil Giebler Racing

Ricciardo

Saint Charles MO

375f

Jordan Pulice

Orsolon Racing

Tony Kart

Winter Park FL

15n

Ryan Raffa

Checkered Motorsports

TB Kart

Washington Crossing PA

388j

Colton Ramsey

Franklin Motorsports

Merlin

Springfield IL

127f

Jesus Rios, Jr.

iKart Indiana

iKart

Miami Beach FL

399r

Kellen Ritter

Rolison Performance Group

Kosmic

N. Vancouver BC

97

Marco Signoretti

Energy Corse North America

Energy

North York ON

326z

Adam Smalley

SmaK Plastics Racing

Kosmic

Battle Ground WA

116k

Brett Smrz

Champion Racing

Intrepid

Simi Valley CA

182c

Carlee Taylor

2 Wild Karting

Tony Kart

Yucaipa CA

55j

Lane Vacala

J3 Competition

CompKart

Antioch IL

044x

Dante Yu

J3 Competition

CompKart

Temple City CA

S1 Pro Stock Honda

Jake French is the driver to beat for the S1 title (Photo: EKN)

Since the launch of the SKUSA Pro Tour, Texan Jake French has been striving to be among the best shifterkart drivers in the country. Grabbing his first S1 victory at the inaugural WinterNationals, the DKC / Sodi Kart driver has been focused on the second task at hand, the SKUSA Pro Tour championship. Four straight podium finishes have put French at the top of the championship chase heading into the series finale. The current #1 in the EKN Driver Rankings was among the first drivers to move up the SKUSA Stock Honda ladder system, beginning at S5 and working into S2 before advancing up to the S1 category. His lead challenger for the title is Californian Billy Musgrave. The three-time California ProKart Challenge champion has more in terms of victories, including a S2 triumph at the SuperNationals including three SKUSA Pro Tour wins in the last three years. Musgrave (MRC / Aluminos) trails French by 57 points, heading to the site of his first SKUSA Pro Tour win.

The battle for the two championship contenders will be fending off those in the field at New Castle for one thing…winning. Defending champion Daniel Formal drove to two runner-up finishes a year ago behind AJ Myers. Now with the Champion Racing / Intrepid operation, Formal had a victory taken away for a broken airbox, looking for redemption at New Castle. California native Gary Carlton (LEM / Formula K) is no stranger to New Castle, having won a number of ICC victories in the Stars of Karting/CKI days. Carlton was shut out at his former home track in Sonoma back in May, and you have to believe he is determined to win one before returning back to Italy until the SuperNationals.

Hunter Pickett and Nic LeDuc are the other two winners on the SKUSA Pro Tour this year. Pickett (Aluminos) won the ‘thrilla in NOLA’ feature race and stood on the podium in Sonoma. Pickett won at New Castle last year in the S2 division, and is sure to be among the quickest this weekend. LeDuc called Indiana home for some time with the California native making a return back with the Cambrian Go-Karts / Sodi Kart package.

Mathias Ramirez (PSL / Birel ART) is the top rookie thus far in the championship standings, sitting third despite recording no podium finishes. Pickett is his lead challenger for the SKUSA #3 plate for 2018, as the two enter separated by just 15 points. Making his S1 debut this weekend is Franklin Motorsports / Merlin driver Kyle Kalish. The former S2 winner at New Castle is making his return to the six-speed package for the first time since SuperNationals 20 in November.

S1 Pro Stock Honda Championship Standings Top-10

Pos.

Total

No.

Driver

Drop

Diff

R1

R2

R3

R4

1

920

N2

Jake French

710

0

260

225

210

225

2

803

322c

Billy Musgrave

653

57

235

188

150

230

3

676

41f

Mathias Ramirez

550

160

160

200

190

126

4

634

36y

Hunter Pickett

525

185

115

200

109

210

5

644

128f

AJ Myers

519

191

180

205

125

134

6

570

1

Austin Wilkins

444

266

126

141

136

167

7

440

21y

Nic LeDuc

440

270

0

0

245

195

8

435

50y

Gary Carlton

425

285

125

10

250

50

9

511

88c

Matias Podboj

409

301

167

140

102

102

10

482

435y

Hunter Kelly

380

330

102

134

123

123

Provisional S1 Pro Entry List

No.

Driver

Team

Chassis

Hometown

50y

Gary Carlton

Leading Edge Motorsports

Formula K

Marysville CA

N1

Danny Formal

Champion Racing

Intrepid

Costa Rica

N2

Jake French

DKC / Sodi Kart USA

Sodi Kart

Sachse TX

19j

Kyle Kalish

Franklin Motorsports

Merlin

Wauconda IL

22y

Brian Keck

Keck Racing

CRG

Sacramento CA

435y

Hunter Kelly

Italcorse

Italcorse

Elk Grove CA

21y

Nic LeDuc

Cambrian Go Karts

Sodi Kart

Novato CA

322c

Billy Musgrave

Musgrave Racing Company

Aluminos

Norco CA

36y

Hunter Pickett

Pickett Racing

Aluminos

Alamo CA

41f

Mathias Ramirez

Andersen Racing

Birel ART

Bradenton FL

1

Austin Wilkins

DKC / Sodi Kart USA

Sodi Kart

Wylie TX

S2 Semi-Pro Stock Honda

Riley Dickinson has a chance to become the eighth S2 SKUSA Pro Tour champion (Photo: EKN)

The S2 category is saving the best for last, featuring 29 drivers to close out the 2017 SKUSA Pro Tour with its largest field of the season. The S2 racing, especially at New Castle, has become one of the classes to watch on the weekend. A number of raw, talented and hungry drivers compete in the category and are fighting to become the eighth different SKUSA Pro Tour champion.

The title chase is down to just two drivers – Riley Dickinson and Kyle Wick. Dickinson (DKC / Sodi Kart) jumped onto the scene with his first S2 victory at the WinterNationals in his second SKUSA Pro Tour start. The now 15-year-old backed it up with a victory in Sonoma, making him the championship leader going into New Castle. Trailing by 15 points is Rolison Performance Group / CRG driver Wick. No stranger to the national scene, Wick has developed himself into a championship contender, confirming that bid with his first SKUSA Pro Tour victory in Round Four at Sonoma. The Pacific Northwest star recorded a best finish of 10th at the SummerNationals last year, so track knowledge goes in his favor. The two will be keeping on eye on each other throughout the weekend with every position of every session vital to their championship bids.

On the outside looking in is Gianfranco Mazzaferro (PSL / Birel ART). The Canadian from Quebec has steadily improved his talents behind the six-speed Honda machine this season – including one podium finish – and holds the third spot in the championship chase entering New Castle. Aluminos driver Jason Pettit is fourth in the standings with a shot at the top-three of the championship podium, however, will not be in New Castle. Sky Finley (DKC / Sodi Kart) has an outside shot at the third step of the championship podium, sitting 70 points back of Mazzaferro with one podium result in 2017. Finley earned a podium finish last year at New Castle, and the Sodi machines have been fast all season long.

New Castle marks the return of Jamaican Collin Daley back to the SKUSA Pro Tour. The Round Two winner was blistering fast in NOLA but elected to sit out the SpringNationals. Back for the SummerNationals, the DRT Racing / DR Kart driver is among the favorites entering the weekend. Also returning to the S2 division is Nathan Adds as the young DKC / Sodi Kart driver is among the S2 veterans in the field.